WHO WE ARE

Are you a Housing Navigator Professional looking to make an impact in your community? Do you have endless optimism, ready to move and create change in the community? Through the vision to eliminate poverty in our community and guided by a passionate concern for the dignity and well-being of each individual, Bissell Centre’s work is based on building relationships, hope and trust. Our community comes from all walks of life and so do we.

Through our programs we work to empower people from meeting their own basic daily needs to having sustainable livelihoods, secure housing, and feeling hope for the future and make plans for a prosperous life. By joining Bissell Centre, you will become part of a fast-paced and dedicated team that works together to realize our vision.

Currently, Bissell Centre is looking for an individual wanting to join the Bissell Centre’s Housing Outreach team. Are you ready to be our Housing Navigator and make an impact in our community?

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Housing Navigator uses a client centered, strengths-based model that is rooted in harm reduction to increase access to housing resources/information and service navigation.  The goal is to increase communication between housing services, Bissell programs, Landlords and participants. The Housing Navigator provides a range of service navigation for individuals experiencing homelessness who access the community space, housing workshops and triage referrals from community partners.

WHAT IS THE ROLE

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Delivery

The Housing Navigator of the Community Space will ensure communication and collaboration with Housing Services and Community Space Lead Staff and will maintain oversight to ensure that participants are supported by appropriate referrals and navigation of programs, services and practices, consistent with the values of self-determination/choice and harm reduction.

Working in collaboration within Bissell Community Space, the Housing Navigator educates and increases the effectiveness and efficiency within housing services and referrals to other services.  The Housing Navigator be responsible for triaging incoming housing related inquiries, conducting client intakes and assessments, and making referrals to both internal and external resources utilizing Bissell Centre core values.

General and Administrative

• Triage incoming housing related inquiries from internal/external partners
• Familiarity with available resources for Alberta Works, basic needs and available housing options is recommended
• Utilize client centered practice determine housing barriers, preferences, needs and goals with individual
• Encourage and promote an environment that is strength-based to assist clients in meeting their goals
• Complete VI Spdat/intake/V3 assessments with individuals and communicate housing first program through a lens of trauma informed practice and compassion
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with partner organizations and Landlords
• Participate and network in related program, agency, and community meetings
• Identifying program gaps and coming up with solutions for the purpose of building program capacity
• Assisting with completion of High Intensity Referrals for Supportive Housing and collecting relevant supporting information for these applications
• Knowledge and use of Efforts to Outcomes to record casenotes within 48 hours of contacts, make referrals to By Names List and complete Supported Referral Applications
• Ability to maintain punctual, regular attendance, consistent with the Community Space Activation and Housing Services Memorandum of Understanding

WHAT TOU BRING TO THE ROLE

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Degree or Diploma in Social Science or related discipline

Minimum of one-year related employment experience

Alberta Class 5 License, satisfactory driver’s abstract and a vehicle 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, result oriented, good time management, strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and ETO programs
• Detailed understanding of poverty, oppression and marginalization, specifically as it relates to individuals experiencing homelessness
• Knowledge of housing programs, subsidies, and case management

Personal Characteristics                                                                                                  

The Housing Navigator should demonstrate competence in all the following:

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the mission and core values of Bissell Centre.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Participant Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of participants and the community to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Foster, sustain and role model productive team management practices, and contribute to a positive team environment. Share expertise and knowledge to support, coach and develop others.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions that are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organizational Skills: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Conditions of Work                                                                                                         

• Operation of personal vehicle with required insurance
• Shift: Monday – Friday 9am – 5:30pm or Tuesday to Saturday 9am-5:30pm
• Use of Efforts to Outcomes Software to record data accurately and within 48 hours

Screening Requirements

• Criminal Record Check
• CWIS Check
• Driver’s abstract, valid driver’s license and proof of $1 million PLPD insurance

Training Requirements

• Standard First Aid and CPR
• Conflict Into Calm Training
• Suicide Prevention
• Motivational Interviewing Skills

The above-noted training must be completed during the first six months of employment or as agreed upon by the supervisor.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter to:

Norbert Topolski

Team Lead, Housing Outreach

Email:

Application Deadline: June 29^th, 2022

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, Bissell Centre continues to take action to protect person served and staff. Strategies related to Bissell Centre’s response to COVID-19 are driven by the guiding principle of taking all reasonable precautions and measures to protect the health and safety of both persons served and staff. In keeping with this intentional purpose, COVID-19 full vaccination is a condition of employment for new hires, except due to legitimate, established exceptions.

Bissell Centre is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to diversity within our community and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics, or disability. Bissell Centre is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees, in accordance with provincially and federally legislated protected grounds.